8 – 9 February 2015
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, together with his wife Mrs. Hj. Iriana Joko Widodo, embarked on his first State Visit to the Philippines on Sunday (February 8). He arrived at Villamor Air Base by 5:00 pm and was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
The following day (February 9), President Widodo led a wreath-laying ceremony in Rizal Park to honor the country’s national hero. He was joined in the ceremony by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
After the event, the visiting Head of State proceeded to the Indonesian Embassy in Makati City for a meeting with the Indonesian community in the Philippines.
By 4:00 pm, President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the Indonesian President at Malacañan Palace. A 21-gun salute was rendered and the national anthems of both countries were played during the welcome ceremony.
Inside the Palace, President Widodo signed the official guest book at the Reception Hall. This was followed by a courtesy call on President Aquino and an expanded bilateral meeting between the delegations of Indonesia and the Philippines.
In their meeting, both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral that was concretized with the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on the following: Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking and Abuse of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substance and their Precursors; Cooperation in Education, Research and Training between the National Defense College of the Philippines and the Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional of the Republic of Indonesia; and, Cooperation in the Field of Technical Vocational Education and Training between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Indonesia.
“I also appreciate the Philippines’ involvement on the protection of migrant and migrant workers. And also with respect to the economic field and the cooperation, I would like to increase our trade volume, to double the trade volume by 2016,” the Indonesian President said during the joint press statement.
Similarly, President Aquino expressed optimism on the renewed partnerships between the two countries.
“Indeed, my meeting with President Widodo filled me with optimism. I believe that, under his presidency, Philippines-Indonesia relations will be propelled to even greater heights,” he said.
Formally ending President Joko Widodo’s two-day State Visit, President Aquino held a state dinner at Malacañan Palace featuring the country’s top Filipino cuisine.
The Indonesian President, together with his delegation, left the country onboard a Republic Indonesia chartered flight at 9:00 pm in Villamor Air Base.
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